Control device



Jan. 17, 1950 G H, BERKHQLDER 2,495,087

CONTROL DEVICE Filed NOV. 22, 1943 2 SheebS-Sheel 1 i l l .l

im Wa l n l l I l /4 W Z? V u L.. l 1 M 1 La; mi, l l 5 j? z WU if 1 I /j 4 l 74 l- 75 /a--J-'Jl j I A Snventor G50/7G; H. 3m/(HOLDER dye/M2M Gtomcg Jan., 17, 1950 G. H. BERKHOLDER 2,495,087

CONTROL DEVICE Filed Nov. 22,1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gttorueg Patented Jan. 17, 1950 'UNITE-D .STATES PATENT OFFICE "CONTROL DEVICE George H. Berlihlder, Minneapolis, Minn., as-

signor to Company, Delaware Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation'of `ApplicationNovember 22, 1943, Serial No. 511,285

nG'IJlaims. 'l This `invention .relates to improvements in a control ydevice adapted to 'be used in the control of 'the ,'ovv of v`fluid, vsuch Yas -gas or the like through an automatically controlled pressure 'operated valve. Howeveremp'loymentof.theimseating and `functioning ofthe 'finished device. .f Thentooit is quite .often necessaryito disassemble substantially `the `entire device for replacement, adjustment .or repair of the close fitting parts.

The close v`Work in production and the extensive :labor 'and time 'required vin maintenance tend toward excessive initial and operating cost.

Accordingly7 it 'is one of the principal objects `tof Jthis invention 'to overcome the lforegoing .bl"jectionsby the provision fof means for .economi- 'callyjproducing "an vetiicient and simple electro- -magneticallly operated pilot valve mechanism which may be `employed to uniformly control the operation of .a .pressure responsive device such as :a diaphragmvalve or the like.

Another Yobject of advantage and .importance of the "improved device of this invention resides "in the provision of means whereby individual valve units :for 'the device may be produced, as-

sembled and testedprior to their installation in the improved `device. -Furthermore installation 'or 'removal of the valve units maybe quickly and easily madeby unskilled persons Without the aid of special tools or equipment.

.Aiurther object of importance and advantage 'is the provision of means forfarranging .the .passageways so that upon the'installation of apair 'of valve units therein, inlet pressure assists in sealing oneva'lve and outlet pressure assists .in sealing the Vother valve. l'voth valves .are Ethus 'positioned to `seat in fthe direction .of the .flow

controlled thereby.

Still another important object ofadvan'tage of the improved device of this invention resides in .the provision of l,means for limiting strain and 4reducing Wear von the .movable valve member vby directing 'the passing fluid `against the substantially 'concave sealing `surface 'of the 'valve mem- :ber thereby causing an .abrupt .change in the 'direction "of flow which is utilized 'in assisting 'to hold 'the valve in open :position'against vop- `2 posing pressure exerted on ythe `opposite .stepped surface. Another 'and still 4further objectof advantage and importance 'of the improved device is the provision of means for 'mounting the `entire pilot valve structure'as a compact unit which may Vbe 'attached 'to new or used main valve members An additional object of .importance and `advantage resides in the provision of means for manually operating the device `in 'the event 'of power failure andupontheresumption of power .to automatically .move the manual -operating .means into a nona'ctivating position.

lAdditional objects 4of importance Vand advantage, some of which are .hereinafterspecically set rforth, will become 'apparent .as .the following detailed description progresses, 'reference being 'had tothe accompanying drawing wherein Figure lis an 'elevational view of a .diaphragm valve and .control assembly, which embodies 'the invention, 'diagrammatically associated vwith 'the room'therm'ostat and a burner. Portions 'of-the Vvalveand 'control assembly 'are broken away 'to more clearly show the underlying structure.

Figure 2 is a slightlyenlarged 'end -view'oithe structure shown Ain Figure "l, .portions `thereof being broken away,

.Figure 3 is a further enlarged sectional view of thepilot 'valvetaken on `theline 33 of Fig. 1, and

Figure .4 is a vertical section showing "the manual operator taken on 'the line 'll- 4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction indicated 'by the arrows.

The reference numeral I0 indicates generally a valve having an 'inlet II and an 'outlet I2. Formed in the interior of the valve I0 intermediatetheinlet I'I 'and the outlet I2 is an apertured dividingwall I 3. VOperablyjpositioned. within "the valve Ill 'and .adapted to cooperate with 'the edges of (the aperture in "the wall 1.3 to -permit or .prevent the passage of iiuid therethrough 'is a valve imember I4.

'Positioned on 'the valve I0 and Vextending up- Hvvardly thereab'ove is a supporting bracket I5.

The 'bracket I5 :may be vse :u.red to the valve :I0

by 'anysuita'ble means, as v for instance by a securing 'nut I6.' Positioned on the vsupporting bracket I5 and secured 'thereto by screws is Va Ypressure motor 2.0. Therpressure motor `2ll comprises an uppermembe'r 2| and alower member 22 each of which are substantially concavoconvex .in section. Clamped between 'the upper and lower members of the pressure motor 26 is a iflexible :diaphragm '23 upon which a 4counter-- weight 21 may Abe positioned. The diaphragm the recess 45 valve member and the upper and lower members of the pressure motor 2D are secured together by a plurality of screws 24a. The diaphragm 23 divides the interior portion of the motor 20 into an upper pressure chamber 24 and a lower pressure chamber 25.

Secured to the valve member I4 and projecting upwardly through the valve body I0, the securing nut I6, the supporting bracket I5, and into the lower pressure chamber 25 is a valve stem 26. The upper end of the valve stern 26 is operably associated with the diaphragm 23 as is best shown in Figure 1.

Formed in the valve stem 26 and extending longitudinally thereof is a passageway 30. When the valve is in closed position the passageway 30 extends from a, point within the valve body I8 to a point within the lower chamber 25 as is clearly shown in the drawing. Secured to the lower portion of the supporting bracket I5 and having the ,valve stem 26 slidable therethrough is an adjustable sleeve member 3I. The passageway 30 and the adjustable member 3| cooperate to govern the flow of fluid from the valve body I Il into the lower chamber 25 thus controlling movement of the diaphragm 23 and also the movement of the valve member I4. An auxiliary passageway 32 `extending from the interior of the valve body I into the interior of the supporting bracket I .provides a, means for passing a limited supply .of fluid into the lower chamber 25.

A pilot valve assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 33 is secured to the lower member 22 as is best shown in Figure 1. The pilot valve assembly 33 comprises a valve housing 34 which is provided with three openings which are indicated bythe reference numerals 35, 36 and 31 as is best shown in Figure 3. The openings 35, 36 and 31 which extend through the base of the valve housing 34 are in registry with passageways 4I, 42 and 43, respectively in the lower member -22 of the pressure motor 20. The valve housing 34 is recessed, as is best shown in Figure 3, to provide chambers 44 and 45 which -are adapted to receive inserts 46 and 41. The

'inserts 46 and 41 which screw threadedly engage .the valve-housing 34 are preferably provided with hexagon or other tool receiving heads to facilivtate their insertion and removal.

A portion of the recesses 44 and 45 are concentrically counterbored as indicated by the reference numerals 48 and 49, respectively, to provide ample room for the head portion of the inserts 46 and 41 together with a tool which may be positioned thereon. Suitable gaskets as shown lat 52 in Figure 3 may be employed to provide a fluid tight joint between the inserts 46 and 41 and the valve housing 34. A passage 53 extends :diagonally from the opening 36 into the recess 45 as is best shown in Figure 3. The recess 44 is connected to the counterbore portion 49 of the recess 45 by means of an angularly disposed passage 54. The passage 53 provides an inlet to and the passage 54 provides an outlet from the counterbore 49. A passage 55 connects the opening 31 with the counterbore 49 and a, passage 56 connects the opening 35 with the counterbore 48.

Screw threadedly secured to the inserts 46 and 41 arevalve members 51 and 58, respectively. The valve members 51 and 58 are identical. How-` `ever in the positions shown in Figure 3 the valve member 51 functions as an outlet valve and the 58 functions as an inlet valve. Each valve comprises a substantially tubular casmovement of the operating ing 59 in which a valve stem 60 is operably positioned. One end of the casing 59 is formed to provide a valve seat 64 and the opposite end is formed as at 65 to receive a positioning tool. The formed end 65 of the casing facilitates assembly of the valve member with its associated insert member. A sealing member 6I interposed between the exterior of the tubular casing 59 and a tapered interior portion of the insert 48 provides a iluid tight association of the parts.

Secured to the valve stem 60 closely adjacent one end thereof, as is clearly shown in Figure 3, is a substantially cup-shaped valve member 66. A helical spring 61 positioned internally of the casing 59 and externally of the valve stem 60 biases the valve member 66 to closed position.

Secured to the valve housing 34 by any suitable means is a perforated cover member 6B. A sealing diaphragm 69 is interposed between the cover 68 and the valve housing 34, as is best shown in Figure 3, to provide a fluid-tight joint. Operably positioned in the perforations of the cover member 68 and in alignment with the valve members 51 and 58 are identical tappet members 10, 10. A rocker arm 12 pivoted as at 13 to the cover 68 carries adjustment screws 14 which are engageable with the tappet members 10. It is to be observed that movement of the rocker arm 12 in a clockwise direction closes the inlet valve 58 and opens the outlet valve 51. Movement of the rocker arm 12 in a counterclockwise direction closes the valve 51 and opens the valve 58 to the position in which the parts are shown in Figure 3. A portion of the rocker arm 12 is turned at right angles to form an ear 15 which is slotted as at 16 to receive an operating arm 11.

Secured to the base of the pilot valve assembly 33 closely adjacent the valve housing 34 is an 'electromagnetic element 80.

" free end of a thermostat blade as is clearly shown in Figure 1.

An armature 86 pivoted as at 85 to be operably associated with the electromagnetic element 89 carries the operating arm 11 which is rigidly attached thereto. The armature 86 is biased to deenergized position by a spring member 81. It will be apparent that clockwise movement of the operating arm 11 results in anticlockwise movement of the rocker arm 12 and anticlockwise arm 11 and armature 86 results in clockwise movement of the rocker arm 12.

The electromagnetic member 86 is adapted to be operably associated with a room thermostat 88 or other activating element. In the illustration shown in Figure 1 a line circuit indicated by the reference numeral 90 supplies a transformer 9|, which through its secondary winding 92 transmits electrical energy for operating the electromagnetic element 88. The transformer 9I is connected with the thermostat 88 by means of a lead wire 93.

Secured to thefpilot valve assembly 33 as by a bracket 94 and screws 95 is a cover 96, one end of which is preferably bifurcated to straddle the conduit 83. Rotatably secured to the cover 96 is a shaft 91 to which is fixed a cam 98. 'I'he shaft 91 and the cam 98 form a part of a manual reset which is operated through a handle 99. The cam 98 is positioned in alignment with an 'aaotgosv .ing .the cam into .engagement with the offset portion `.of the armature 85. This .engagement .of 'thecam .9B rotates .the armature and Vattached .operating arm in Ia counterclockwise `direction which movement resultsin 'the clockwise -move ment ofthe rocker arm 12. Thecameis rotated to agposition slightlybeyond center. Theenergy of thespringill biases the member 86 against'the cam 9B suiciently 'to render Athe spring *If '-ineilective to-returnthe jcam, so Vit remains -as thus Vpositioned. 'Upon `energization -of the electromagnetic 'member -8`0, `the armature 86 *moves "further in a 'counterclockwise direction lthus V`re leasing the cam `which "is immediately rotated lback "to fits original position by the flexing of the torque spring 100.

Extending from a point vinthe inlet of Y:the

'valve lbody Llfll =toa .pilotlight :rml is ia conduit M12. The rpil'ot light 2&0] is positioned closely adjacent :main :burner il? 3. A supply pipe :L84 connected to 'fthe :outlet '-122 -of the `valve body .Hl -providesgameans .iiortconveying fuel .to the burner 16:3. -Waste^ffluid-ffrom .the pilot valve ,assembly .33 :is .conveyed from the lpassage 4.! .to .a point `Lclosely .adjacent .the burner .|833 .by means .of .a .conduit 105. .The .discharge terminals are thus .grouped .to .facilitate .ignition of wasteand supplyffuel by the constantly burning pilot light.

A'Operation .TI'he .improved device .-.of .this .invention is illustrated .in .the `drawings in closed .or satisfied f position. vlT he thermostat B8 is open, the main -.v.a.lve I4 is closed, the inlet valve of the `pilot valve assembly 'is Yopen and the Voutlei,'valve l51 thereof 'is closed. 'Assume now that "the temperature Lto 'which the thermostat is responsive Adrops su'iicien'tly vto cause the -reelendoi *the thermostat 'member :83 to move into engagement lw'ith ithe mycontact Eli at the end of lthewire 182. Then an electric circuit is established as ffollows:

trom the transformer v9! through .the Wire 93, '1

thermostat 88, `=vvire :82, :electromagnetic :amember .lilandireturnfthrongh fvvire 3l tothe transformer Bfl. The electromagnetic member .Bil fis immedirately energized .and moves rthe armature .85 in .a yzc ounterclockyvise direction. .This results .in

clockwise rotation .of the 'rocker arm +12 .which rmovementdepresses the .tappet lil for .the outlet kvalve .51 -andreleases .the tappet .l for the.inlet lvalve 5.8, `.thus opening .the `outlet valve .5l .and .permitting .the inlet .valve 58 .to close. Fluid is immediately released from the chamber 2'4 'through the passage kllfi, passage d3, opening `31, passage 55, counterbore t9, passage "54, 'recess "M, ropen valve )51, counterbore d3, passage 56, opening 35, passage `il and `thence through Lthe waste conduit fH15 tothe burner m3 lWhere it is consumed. 'At this stage uit is to lbe observed .that "communication between the chambers mi and 25 is linterrupted by Vthe-closing rof the valve `58, Gonsequentl-y ythe trapped 'pressure in lthe Athe improved device -.of

chamber 125., which lis -in zcommunicatiowwith'the inlet 1":4, iraises the diaphragm .1&3 rand moves 'the associated waive .t4 `tovva1'f:l,open position. movement i is relatively :rapid .until ith-e lower .end of the ipassage fiscovered bythe sleevefBI. .All iovv of iluid throug-h this `.passage :then :ceases and further yopening movement of the :valve is in ratio to the .rate of flow .through the auxiliary -passagevvayl '-It is fto libe noted that athe'finitial `opening :movement lvof `thezvalve is .relativelyrrapid and thereafter further opening vof the .'valve :44 is at a much slower rate. The rapidi-initial .opening of the .supply lvalve :|14 coupled with the Slow gradual r-further .opening Athereof .eliminates-dan gerous and :undesirable zresults 1in the combustion chamber.

Upon @the ithermostat 3.8 'becoming .satisfied .as thetresult of .a .rise inthe temperature .of `.the eleyment .towhich it is responsive, @the engagement between zthe free end 4of this member :and the .contacting element '.84 .of .the Wire :B2 :is broken. This `:action VAresults in the `deenergization of the electromagnetic member kill). Upon fdeenergization of the electromagnetic:member-80fthe spring 81 rotates the armature :86 rin :a clockwisedireotion resulting `in the ,anticloclrwise `movement of thezreoker arm 1'2. Thismovementof the rocker arm'olosesithe waste .valve .57| .and opens the uinlet #valt/e .5.8 permitting .iiuid to :pass -from :the lower gchamber F25 through the passage e 4.2,iopening 5 ,;passag e -513, valvef, counterbored, .passage :55, opening 31, passage 43, passage 43A and into the iupper chamber 24. As -the fpr-es- .sure inthe :chambers .24 -and.25 tends toward equalization, :the .suppl-y -valve 1M, the stem 2.6, vand the-diaphragm @23, because vof .the counterf .Weight'fl positionedthereon, all move in a valve .closing direction. The closing .movement vis .accelerated when -the lower .end of the ,passage'30 .clearsethe .lewerend-of lthe sleeve '.31 vpermitting .additionaliuid to pass therethrough. When the .main -valve .I4 .isseatedthe .remainder of the elements .of the .improved device .assume the Ypositionfshovvnzinthedrawings.

:It is to be .noted that .the .seat of .the valve Vmember-.66 `is located .at vthe bottom of a recess .formed .therein .and .also that 'the .opposite side .there-o Tisstepped Vto break the effective area of thefexposed surface. YClln's .constrnctionproduces a valve .substantially Vcup-shaped `in section and one wherein .fluid ,passing through 'the valve :is :Erst-.directedupwardly, as positioned inthedrawing, .and .then .abruptly 'turned in a downward direction .This ahruptchangein the direction-oi iiowloy the vvalveinernber tends to utilize'the now .inessisting to .maintain the valve 'in open position. Consequently vexcessive wear on the sealsing diaphragm .by .the Vopposite end' of the lvalve `stern andthe tappet :is substantially eliminated as compared to wear caused 'by a valve stem :having aconv.entional disc valve.

lt lis zalsoto .be .noted .that .the cup-.shaped valve .Ii- .onboth .valvemembers 51 and 5.3 seatgin'the .direction of .flow of uid passing therethrough. T-hus va .relatively light spring "8l is 'suicient lto maintain the valve 'B5 in tightly sealedjengagement with .its seat ETL `This results 'in -a considerable saving in `Spring ymaterial as compared to valves which are `adapted -to --seat yagainst the direction-of flow.

It *will be apparent from the foregoing that herein provided 'aneliicient Compact .and exe -ceptionally economical control device. Moreover this invention is fexceptionally desirable from ra :standpoint of .accessibility for repairs, replacement, and adjustment. Thevalve members 51 and 58 may be readily removed for inspection, repairs, or replacement simply by removing the cover B8 and unscrewing the valves from the insert or the insert may be removed with the valve.

' It is to be noted that the removal of the cover and its replacement will not aiect the adjusted engagement between the adjustment screws and the tappets. Consequently readjustment of the members 14, 14 is not required when the cover 68 is replaced.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the improved device of this invention appertains that numerous changes in design and construction may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly the patent granted hereon is not to be limited to the precise embodiment here shown or in any other manner except as is necessitated by the terminology of the appended claims when given the range of equivalents to which they may be entitled.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a pilot valve, a body having a pair of open end valve receiving recesses in spaced parallel relation :formed therein, each recess comprising a pair of concentric bores with the bore of smaller diameter extending into said body a greater distance than the bore of larger diameter, an insert removably positioned in the intermediate portion of each recess, a valve unit removably positioned in each insert and biased in the direction of flow and toward closed position, each of said valve units having an operating stem extending toward the open end of the recess in which it is positioned, an inlet and an outlet passage extending into each of said recesses and being disposed to direct flow to urge each valve toward closed position, a straight diagonally disposed passage connecting the inlet of one valve with the outlet of the other valve, a cover having a pair of tappet receiving apertures adapted to register with said recesses formed therein, a tappet slidably positioned in each of said apertures, said cover being detachably secured to said recessed body and being removable to provide access for replacement of said valve units, an operating member rockably secured to said cover, means for overcoming said flow urge and said biasing means to normally maintain one of said valves in open position, a pair of adjustment members extending through said operating member and having one end thereof in adjusted engagement with the end of an associated tappet, abutment means for limiting closing movement of said tappets and permitting further movement of said operating member, and means interposed between said cover and said body for sealing the open end of said recesses.

. 2. In a pilot valve forcontrolling ilow, a body having a pair of valve receiving recesses therein, each of said recesses comprising a pair of concentric counter-bores with the bore of smaller diameter extending into the body a greater distance than the bore of larger diameter and being screw threaded, said bore of larger diameter having an open end, an insert having a screw threaded bore threaded into each of said smaller bores, a valve unit threaded into each of said inserts, said valve unit being biased toward closed position, passage means disposed to direct flow to each of said valves and thereby assist in maintaining said valves in closed position, said. passage means including a straight-passage extending diagonally between one of the bores of larger diameter to a bore of smaller diameter, each valve unit having an operating stem extending toward the open end of the recess in which it is positioned, means for overpowering the biasing and ow pressure on one of said valves to normally maintain it in open position, flexible means sealing the recesses and having its inner surface engageable with each operating stem, a cover positioned on said ilexible means and detachably secured to said body, said cover and said iexible means being removable to provide access for removal or repair of both of said valves, an operating arm rockably mounted on said cover and having each end thereof operably associated through linkage means to the outer surface of said flexible means for moving said linkage means to reciprocatingly operate said valves, and adjustment means carried by said operating arm to adjust its position relative to said linkage means. t

3. In a iluid control device, a valve housing, first and second valve receiving recesses formed in said housing, said recesses each comprising concentric bores of different diameters, an insert in iluid tight association with each recess, a cylindrical valve unit in fluid tight association with each insert, each of said valve units comprising a cylindrical casing having a valve stem extending longitudinally therethrough, a valve attached to said stem, means positioned within said cylindrical casing biasing said valve toward sealing engagement with the end of said cylindrical casing, means for overcoming said bias to normally maintain one of said valves in open position, an inlet passage extending into said iirst recess, an outlet passage extending from said second recess, a straight passageway extending diagonally of said valve housing and joining the outlet portion of said rst recess with the inlet portion of said second recess, said inlet passage and said common passageway being disposed to deliver uid against said valve in closing direction to assist in their closing and sealing function, a closure member detachably secured to said valve housing and closing said recesses, said closure member being removable to provide access for replacing said valves, tappet members slidably positioned in said closure member and in alignment with said valve stems, and'means for concurrently operating said valves in opposite directions.

4. In a pilot valve, a body having a pair of recesses, a removable valve unit secured in each of said recesses, each of said units comprising a valve stem extending through and beyond each end thereof with a valve head on the recess end and means urging said head to a normally seated position against said unit, a rst uid supply passage extending from the bottom portion ofl one of said recesses to the exterior of said body, a second passage extending from the open end of the same recess to the exterior of said body, a third passage extending from the same open end to the botton portion of the other recess, a fourth passage extending from the open end of said other recess to the exterior of said body, a cover removably secured to said body and covering each of said recesses and the valve therein, each of said recesses and passages being straight with its axis intersecting one of the top and bottom surfaces of said body, and means on said cover adapted to selectively actuate one or the other of said valves to an open position.

5. In a pilot valve, a body having a pair of recesses therein, a removable valve unit secured in each of said recesses, a first fluid supply passage extending from the bottom portion of one of said recesses to the exterior of said body, a second passage extending from the open end of the same recess to the exterior of said body, a third passage extending from the same open end to the bottom portion of the other recess, a fourth passage extending from the open end of said other recess to the exterior of said body, a cover removably secured to said body and covering each of said recesses and the valve therein, each of said recesses and passages being straight with its axis intersecting one of the top and bottom surfaces of said body, and means on said cover adapted to selectively actuate one or the other of said valves to an open position.

6. In a pilot valve, a body having a pair of recesses therein, a removable valve unit secured in each of said recesses providing a supply and a bleed valve respectively, a rst supply passage extending from the bottom portion of one of said recesses to the exterior of said body, a second passage extending from the exterior of said body to a point therein in open communication with the discharge end of the supply valve and the inlet end of the bleed valve, a third 30 passage extending from the same open end to the bottom portion of the other recess, a fourth passage extending from the open end of said other REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

15 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 675,112 Rutherford May 28, 1901 721,562 Hibbard Feb. 24, 1903 1,460,804 Shaw July 3, 1923 20 1,651,034g McIntosh Nov. 29, 1927 1,764,005 Cochin June 17, 1930 1,928,461 Pelouch Sept. 26, 1933 1,952,147 Stahl Mar. 27, 1934 2,197,144 Carnes Apr. 16, 1940 25 2,280,345 Nickeus Apr. 21, 1942 2,293,132 Gora. Aug. 18, 1942 2,333,913 Beam Nov. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 466,761 Great Britain of 1937 476,848 Great Britain of 1937 493,652 Great Britain Oct. 12, 1938 

